USAID supports a Jordanian delegation to attend World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress in LA

In a new step to help place Jordan on the global medical tourism map, USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) supported the Private Hospital Association (PHA) to facilitate the attendance of 7 private hospital officials from different hospitals on the international Medical Tourism Association's 2nd annual World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress that was held in Los Angeles October 26-28th, 2009.

As well as supporting the work of local professional associations, the USAID Jordan's involvement in promoting medical tourism activities has been maintained in Jordan and abroad to leverage on Jordan's good medical care reputation.

Placing Jordan on the global medical tourism map has also prompted both PHA and USAID to seek international hospital accreditation, a step that was fully supported by the Program.

As well as attending the LA Congress itself, the PHA organized a booth where they welcomed visitors who wished to make contacts and enquire about facilities available in Jordan. An MOU between the Medical Tourism Association and PHA was signed as well enabling the latter to host a Middle East Medical Tourism Fair in Jordan in 2011. Delegates attended various workshops that talked about marketing, e-marketing, global medical tourism and facilities available in the Middle East region.

The delegation posted several adverts in the Medical Tourism Association magazine and the Fair directory, including ads on Jordan, Jordanian hospitals and healthcare services provided in the country. Three presentations on Jordan and health facilities were delivered by delegates to the Congress audience, as well as signs, banners and roll-ups were posted throughout the conference venue, which promoted the medical industry in Jordan, and highlighted PHA as a silver Congress sponsor.

The trip also provided an excellent opportunity for delegates to engage themselves in networking activities, as one-on-one meetings were scheduled with potential customers from all over the world. The delegation met with UAE Ministry of Health officials and discussed future cooperation ties. And on a lighter note, a raffle was arranged for all booth visitors enabling two lucky winners return air tickets to Jordan.

The USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. By supporting improvements in the business environments and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses, it supports the main objective of building up the private sector as a powerful engine of economic growth